The Sound of Unwanted Praise

Clara was a woman of few words. She loved her earphones more than people because they served as a "Do Not Disturb" sign for her face. After returning from her maternity leave, she wanted nothing more than to blend into the office walls and work in peace. To help her focus, she bought a pair of bright, gold-plated headphones.

"Oh my god, Clara! I love what you did with your gear!" her coworker, Jim, shouted the moment she sat down. Clara winced. She wanted to say, "Stop it, you’re making me blush," but she just stared. "That gold really works for you," he continued. "It gives you a very professional backing."

Clara tried to ignore him, but as she walked to the breakroom, the compliments followed her like a shadow. "You’ve got a great sense of style," a manager noted. "Not everyone can pull off that gold, but you do!" Clara sighed. She realized that by trying to hide, she had picked the loudest accessory in the building.

Even her friend, who was preparing for his own parental leave, stopped by. "Those are incredible! You always pick the perfect accessories. Where did you get them?"

Exasperated by the endless small talk, Clara took the headphones off and left them on the "Free Snacks" table. She sat at her desk, bare-eared, thinking she was finally safe. But five minutes later, a group of interns walked by.

"Whoa, Clara! I love your hairstyle today! Without those bulky headphones, your natural look really suits you. You look great in anything!"

Clara put her face in her hands. There was no escaping the kindness of her coworkers. She looked at the empty desk and whispered, "it is what it is." She realized she was just the kind of person people loved to talk to—headphones or not.